Original Material
Sunbathing with the enemy: Meet the Kremlin propagandists who vacation in Europe despite demonizing the West on air
The Insider has examined leaked data from Russia’s border control system, and it turns out that several of the Kremlin’s most prominent on-screen propagandists and behind-the-scenes media executives are Europhiles at heart. At work inside Russia, they decry Western “decay,” denounce the “rampant Russophobia” of the democratic world, and harp on the supposed “irrelevance” of European leaders in the arena of global affairs. However, before the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many of Vladimir Putin’s officially Europhobic information warriors frequented vacation spots in France, Italy, and Spain, and even after Feb. 24, 2022, at least 70 of them have not been targeted by EU sanctions, allowing them to freely travel to Europe. In fact, many still own property in NATO member states. The Insider compiled a full list.
Sergei Ezhov
Investigative reporter, The Insider
Content
France
Spain
Italy
Croatia
Estonia
Belgium
Norway
Switzerland
Germany
Greece
Cyprus
Austria
Finland
France
Anatoly Kuzichev, co-host of the talk show Vremya Pokazhet (lit. “Time Will Tell”) on Kremlin-controlled Perviy Kanal (lit. “Channel One”), has made frequent visits to Paris in recent years. Travel records suggest that he also enjoys Amsterdam, Barcelona, Venice, and even the United States.
Peredelkino is a historic writers' village and elite residential area located just southwest of Moscow, Russia. Established in the 1930s under Stalin, it was originally a state-sponsored dacha settlement for prominent Soviet writers, poets, and intellectuals, including Boris Pasternak.
Anatoly Kuzichev, host of the talk show Vremya Pokazhet (lit. “Time Will Tell”) on Channel One.
Kuzichev's admiration for Western locales does not stop him from aggressively promoting anti-Western rhetoric on the air and through his social media accounts. Here's what he wrote on Telegram about French President Emmanuel Macron in February:
“So, I see Macron opened his mouth again. He says those scary Russians are threatening all of Europe, cooperating with Iran and North Korea, ‘attacking European interests in Africa(?) and being very, very aggressive in space(!).’ He’s worried… Look how he behaves. He cracks these idiotic jokes that amuse the people in the room. They giggle. And all this as Vladimir Putin is speaking — laying out Russia’s position. These are the most serious matters. Putin is speaking firmly about those currently in power in Kyiv. Three days later, the special military operation begins... And this lispy little man is cracking jokes.”
Kuzichev also spread a fake story claiming that a napkin on Macron’s table was actually a packet of cocaine. Yet when Kuzichev finds a few days to take a break from his crusade against the West he heads to — you guessed it — Paris.
Kuzichev is not alone in his fondness for France. Other Kremlin propagandists who frequent the country include:
- Marina Danielyan, chief of staff to the CEO of Channel One
- Larisa Krymova, head of public relations and internet broadcasting at Channel One
- Alexander Fayfman, first deputy CEO of Channel One
- Marina Kataya, deputy executive producer at NTV
- Sergey Burygin, deputy CEO of REN TV
- Yulia Bystritskaya, CEO of TV Center
- Oleg Volnov, deputy CEO of Channel One for political programming
- Gennady Gokhshtein, deputy CEO of VGTRK
- Alexei Yefimov, CEO of Channel One’s international division
- Vadim Takmenyov, deputy executive producer at NTV
- Anatoly Tupitsyn, executive producer at LLC AKCEPT (the legal name of REN TV)
- Igor Ugolnikov, CEO of the VoenFilm Studio
- Darya Khubova, executive producer at Vremya (Channel One's main evening newscast)
- Pyotr Shepin, commercial director at Channel One
- Alexander Yakovenko, deputy director of news at NTV
- Nailya Asker-Zade, television host and media personality
Spain
Mikhail Demin heads TPO Red Media, a Gazprom-Media subsidiary that produces content for NTV and TNT. However, when offered the choice, Demin seems to prefer spending his time — and investing his money — far away from Russia.
Peredelkino is a historic writers' village and elite residential area located just southwest of Moscow, Russia. Established in the 1930s under Stalin, it was originally a state-sponsored dacha settlement for prominent Soviet writers, poets, and intellectuals, including Boris Pasternak.
Mikhail Demin
The Insider was able to confirm that Demin owns four properties in Spain: a penthouse in Barcelona, a house in Blanes near Girona, and both an apartment and a villa with a pool in the Catalonia region’s Lloret de Mar.
Peredelkino is a historic writers' village and elite residential area located just southwest of Moscow, Russia. Established in the 1930s under Stalin, it was originally a state-sponsored dacha settlement for prominent Soviet writers, poets, and intellectuals, including Boris Pasternak.
Despite working for one of the Kremlin’s primary media arms, Demin is not under European Union sanctions, meaning he is still free to visit his Spanish villa between stints spent distributing state-backed content. While Gazprom-Media has been sanctioned by the United States and Canada for its role in promoting Kremlin propaganda and disinformation, it remains untouched by the EU. The broadcasts of some of its channels, however, have been restricted in a number of EU countries, largely due to the holding company’s affiliation with Gazprombank, which is under European sanctions.
Demin does not lack for friendly company while abroad. NTV CEO Alexei Zemsky frequently visits Girona and Barcelona, while Alexander Gordon, a high-profile talk show host on Channel One, enjoys taking time off in Barcelona and Málaga. As part of his professional duties, Gordon regularly lashes out at the West on air, claiming that Europe will soon “go rabid with its Russophobia.” So far, however, the EU has not gone so far as to restrict Gordon’s access to the continent, and in 2023 he was spotted in NATO member state Montenegro.
Others with a clear penchant for Spain include:
- Svetlana Anokhina, deputy head of the production unit at Russia-1
- Olga Bayramova, marketing and digital communications director at REN TV
- Irina Dorogan, executive producer at TPO Red Media
- Alexander Nechayev, deputy director at VGTRK
- Oksana Barkovskaya, executive producer at Format TV, a documentary producer for REN TV
- Timur Weinstein, executive producer at NTV
- Yulia Golubeva, deputy CEO of Gazprom-Media Holding
- Alexei Dementyev, chief cameraman at RT
- Pyotr Yerofeyev, senior editor at REN TV
- Igor Prokopenko, host and writer at REN TV
- Tatyana Remezova, anchor of the Vesti news program
- Maksim Iksanov, editor-in-chief and co-owner of Mash
Italy
The head of the Gazprom-Media holding, Alexander Zharov, is no stranger to Italy. The former chief of Roskomnadzor, Russia’s internet censorship agency, now prefers to spend time with his family in Rome, Naples, and Pisa, according to travel records reviewed by The Insider.
Peredelkino is a historic writers' village and elite residential area located just southwest of Moscow, Russia. Established in the 1930s under Stalin, it was originally a state-sponsored dacha settlement for prominent Soviet writers, poets, and intellectuals, including Boris Pasternak.
Alexander Zharov, CEO of the Gazprom-Media holding and former head of Russia’s internet censorship agency Roskomnadzor.
After leaving public office and transitioning to a top role in state media, Zharov began earning roughly 1 million rubles per day (almost $13,000). He now oversees a vast portfolio of TV channels, radio stations, and media properties. Some of them are entertainment-focused — but even in comedy shows, political censorship is enforced. Other channels, like NTV, serve as overt propaganda platforms.
Zharov is far from alone in his love for Italy. The country is also a favored destination for:
- Ernest Mackevičius, lead anchor on VGTRK's Vesti
- Ilya Krivitsky, CEO of Krasny Kvadrat media group
- Lyudmila Brodskaya, director of TV programming at NTV
- Marina Belova, deputy CEO of Channel Five
- Arkady Vodakhov, executive producer at TNT
- Anna Gorshkova, head of planning and production for Channel One’s news programming
- Igor Kozhevin, deputy CEO of VGTRK
- Sergey Kosinsky, deputy CEO of the Gazprom-Media holding
- Marina Razumova, deputy CEO of Gazprom-Media Entertainment Television
- Evgeny Rozhkov, news anchor at Rossiya-1
- Vladimir Chernyshev, adviser at NTV’s news division
- Konstantin Pridybaylo, RT correspondent
- Arina Sharapova, TV host and public figure
- Marianna Maksimovskaya, CEO of VK Video
Croatia
Ekaterina Avaliany (née Nikolenko), director of production at REN TV, frequently visits Croatia. She has posted vacation photos on Instagram from the seaside resort town of Split.
Peredelkino is a historic writers' village and elite residential area located just southwest of Moscow, Russia. Established in the 1930s under Stalin, it was originally a state-sponsored dacha settlement for prominent Soviet writers, poets, and intellectuals, including Boris Pasternak.
Ekaterina Avaliany's vacation photo from Split, Croatia.
Avaliany began her career at the state media holding VGTRK, where she worked as a correspondent, anchor, editor, senior editor, scriptwriter, project manager, and creative producer. REN TV, where she currently works, is part of the National Media Group, whose key shareholder is Kremlin-linked banker Yuri Kovalchuk.
Aside from Croatia, Avaliany has also traveled to Greece, Italy, Switzerland, and Estonia.
Estonia
Irina Prokhorova, deputy CEO of Channel One, oversees strategic projects. She visited Tallinn before Russia’s full-scale invasion and has also traveled to Latvia, Greece, Denmark, Italy, Finland, and France.
Peredelkino is a historic writers' village and elite residential area located just southwest of Moscow, Russia. Established in the 1930s under Stalin, it was originally a state-sponsored dacha settlement for prominent Soviet writers, poets, and intellectuals, including Boris Pasternak.
Prokhorova (right) pictured with Channel One CEO Konstantin Ernst during the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi.
In Moscow, Prokhorova owns an apartment valued at 170 million rubles ($2.18 million) in a luxury building on Mansurovsky Lane. Leaked tax data suggests she earned about 1 million rubles per month.
Belgium
STS is part of the National Media Group (NMG). The company’s board of directors is chaired by Alina Kabaeva, who is widely reported to be Vladimir Putin’s unofficial partner. The channel’s executive director is Natalia Abramochkina, a veteran media manager who previously oversaw marketing for Pyatnitsa! (lit. “Friday!”), part of the Gazprom-Media holding.
Peredelkino is a historic writers' village and elite residential area located just southwest of Moscow, Russia. Established in the 1930s under Stalin, it was originally a state-sponsored dacha settlement for prominent Soviet writers, poets, and intellectuals, including Boris Pasternak.
Natalia Abramochkina, executive director of STS.
Abramochkina hasn’t traveled extensively across Europe, but records show she visited Brussels several times. Since 2022, she has primarily spent time in Turkey and the UAE.
Norway
Until 2022, Sergey Brilyov was one of the top executives at the Rossiya television channel. He remains affiliated with it as a contributor, producing documentaries and propaganda videos that tend to come out on holidays linked to Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR).
Peredelkino is a historic writers' village and elite residential area located just southwest of Moscow, Russia. Established in the 1930s under Stalin, it was originally a state-sponsored dacha settlement for prominent Soviet writers, poets, and intellectuals, including Boris Pasternak.
Sergey Brilyov, one of one of the top executives at the Rossiya television channel, is a UK citizen.
Brilyov holds British citizenship, and yet he has been sanctioned by the UK, Canada, and Australia. The European Union, however, has not sanctioned him — despite his previously frequent trips to Norway.
Switzerland
Although Switzerland is not an EU member, it has adopted EU sanctions against Russia. Nonetheless, Sergey Zenin, a “war correspondent” for Rossiya-1, has frequently traveled to Geneva in recent years.
Peredelkino is a historic writers' village and elite residential area located just southwest of Moscow, Russia. Established in the 1930s under Stalin, it was originally a state-sponsored dacha settlement for prominent Soviet writers, poets, and intellectuals, including Boris Pasternak.
Sergey Zenin pictured in a Rossiya-1 broadcast from Russian-occupied Luhansk.
Screenshot: Rossiya-1
Zenin’s in-laws have long resided in Switzerland. His wife, Yekaterina Abramova, is also a so-called “journalist,” serving as deputy chair of the broadcasting company “Mir.” She was recently appointed head of the media holding of the Union State of Russia and Belarus. Despite their outwardly patriotic image, the couple lives in a luxury 111-square-meter apartment inside Moscow’s Sadovoye Ring, on what’s known as the “Kremlin island.” The property on Kosmodamianskaya Embankment is valued at around 70 million rubles (almost $900,000).
Meanwhile, Zurich holds special appeal for Anastasia Bachina, PR director at Gazprom-Media Entertainment TV. She has the backing of Tina Kandelaki, deputy CEO of Gazprom-Media, who has publicly referred to Bachina as her “favorite employee.”
Germany
Leaked Russian border control data shows that Vladimir Kondratyev frequently travels to Berlin. Once a familiar face on Russian television — including during Vladimir Putin’s press conferences — Kondratyev is known for his close ties to the president. Putin even congratulated Kondratyev on his 60th and 70th birthdays.
Peredelkino is a historic writers' village and elite residential area located just southwest of Moscow, Russia. Established in the 1930s under Stalin, it was originally a state-sponsored dacha settlement for prominent Soviet writers, poets, and intellectuals, including Boris Pasternak.
Vladimir Kondratyev
In the 1990s, Kondratyev headed NTV’s bureau in Germany, and his affection for the country has clearly endured. In recent years, he has served as an adviser to the head of NTV’s news broadcasting division. While NTV airs daily reports on Germany’s supposed hostility toward Russia, Kondratyev quietly boards flights to his beloved Berlin.
Also spotted in Munich were Darya Pugachyova, research director at Gazprom-Media, and Dmitry Guberniev, a TV host and an authorized representative of Putin’s during elections.
Greece
Athens, Heraklion, and Thessaloniki have welcomed guests like Anastasia Chernobrovina, host of the Morning of Russia program on Rossiya-1, Igor Shestakov, deputy head of VGTRK, and Pyotr Marchenko, host of the weekly news wrap-up show on REN TV.
Peredelkino is a historic writers' village and elite residential area located just southwest of Moscow, Russia. Established in the 1930s under Stalin, it was originally a state-sponsored dacha settlement for prominent Soviet writers, poets, and intellectuals, including Boris Pasternak.
Pyotr Marchenko
Cyprus
Karen Shakhnazarov, a regular guest on the talk show Evening with Vladimir Solovyov, heads the state-owned Mosfilm movie studio, whose soundstages host the production of the propaganda program.
Peredelkino is a historic writers' village and elite residential area located just southwest of Moscow, Russia. Established in the 1930s under Stalin, it was originally a state-sponsored dacha settlement for prominent Soviet writers, poets, and intellectuals, including Boris Pasternak.
Mosfilm head Karen Shakhnazarov pictured on the propagandist talk show Evening with Vladimir Solovyov.
On air, the director is a vocal critic of the West. Recent headlines from episodes featuring him include: “Shakhnazarov: The West Wants to Destabilize Russia from Within,” “Shakhnazarov: Russia Is Still Fighting Neocolonialism,” and “Shakhnazarov: Lying Is Not a Sin for the Western Elite.”
Despite his rhetoric, Shakhnazarov doesn’t shy away from opportunities to visit the EU, making time for an annual vacation to Larnaca, a resort town in Cyprus. Other frequent visitors to the island include Sergey Petrov, development director of the Military-Patriotic Film Support Foundation (“Voenkino”), and Alexander Smol, a host on Channel One.
Austria
Andrei Pisarev, one of the top executives at Channel One, serving as deputy general director under Konstantin Ernst and working behind the scenes to oversee the network’s propaganda talk shows. Pisarev is seen more often in Vienna than on television — he has traveled to the Austrian capital roughly 50 times.
Peredelkino is a historic writers' village and elite residential area located just southwest of Moscow, Russia. Established in the 1930s under Stalin, it was originally a state-sponsored dacha settlement for prominent Soviet writers, poets, and intellectuals, including Boris Pasternak.
Andrei Pisarev pictured alongside propagandist Artyom Sheinin.
The Insider previously found that Pisarev owns high-end real estate, including a 233-square-meter apartment in Moscow’s Romanov Pereulok residential complex and a four-story house in the elite residential area of Peredelkino. Thanks to his work in state propaganda, Pisarev has amassed assets worth an estimated 1 billion rubles ($12.8 million) while freely traveling across Europe.
At Channel One, Pisarev heads the Directorate of Social and Public Affairs Programming. Along with producing political talk shows, his department also organizes televised debates during presidential and parliamentary election campaigns. Pisarev also has a political background, as he previously led the political department of the United Russia party’s central executive committee. He was regarded as the chief ideologue of the party’s “Russian Project,” which promoted nationalist positions and opposed foreign influence in Russia.
Pisarev was also the primary owner of Indigo Studio LLC, which for many years produced United Russia’s campaign ads, along with videos for the Central Election Commission. Others in the “Austria group” include Channel One deputy director Natalya Nikonova, Channel One host Polina Tsvetkova, REN TV correspondent Margarita Kostiv, and TV Center chief producer Alexei Kondulukov.
Finland
Russian propaganda’s most frequent visitor to Finland is Alexander Afanasyev, head of the production and technology department at state-owned VGTRK. He continued crossing the Finnish border even after February 2022, traveling to Suomi in his BMW X5.
Peredelkino is a historic writers' village and elite residential area located just southwest of Moscow, Russia. Established in the 1930s under Stalin, it was originally a state-sponsored dacha settlement for prominent Soviet writers, poets, and intellectuals, including Boris Pasternak.
Alexander Afanasyev
Others who have made regular trips to Helsinki include Pavel Zarubin, co-host of the program Moscow. Kremlin. Putin; Ilya Kozhukhov, chief cameraman at TV Center; Dmitry Kulko, special correspondent for Channel One; and Leonid Yakubovich, head of Channel One’s Creative Programs Directorate.
In one memorable episode, Yakubovich, the longtime host of Russia’s version of Wheel of Fortune, gifted a car to members of the Pyatnashka Brigade. Among other war crimes committed in Ukraine, the Pyatnashka Brigade has been implicated in the torture of POWs.
Peredelkino is a historic writers' village and elite residential area located just southwest of Moscow, Russia. Established in the 1930s under Stalin, it was originally a state-sponsored dacha settlement for prominent Soviet writers, poets, and intellectuals, including Boris Pasternak.